The days of “no dogs allowed” are long gone. It’s not uncommon to see pampered pooches everywhere from restaurants to bookstores to Bloomingdale’s. But are we doing a disservice to man’s best friend? In this Lifescript exclusive, famed dog whisperer Cesar Millan shares his tips on proper “petiquette”...

From Paris Hilton to Jessica Simpson, celebrities are making pampered pups the latest chic accessory. Their dogs live in the lap of luxury, feasting on filet mignon and sporting diamond-studded collars.

But it isn’t only the canines of the rich and famous that get the royal treatment. Many of us treat our animals like kings, too, taking them to parties, malls, hotels, and just about anywhere else we go.

Instead of ousting pet owners, many restaurants and other venues across the country are jumping on the bandwagon by welcoming canine customers – and officials are passing new animal-friendly laws.

While pets adore affection, overindulgence can backfire, warns Cesar Millan, host of the Nat Geo’s Wild new series “Cesar 911” and “Dog Whisperer,” which ran for nine seasons on the National Geographic Channel. If you spoil Rover and let his bad behavior go unchecked in public, brace yourself for the same glares families with unruly toddlers get – or worse, cautions Millan, author of Be the Pack Leader (Harmony).

A better solution? Follow the simple formula for a well-behaved dog that Millan uses with his clients.

A Window Into Your Dog’s PyscheRegarded as the “Dr. Phil of Dogs,” Millan is an expert in canine psychology. In each episode of “Dog Whisperer,” he transformed out-of-control pooches into loving, obedient pets through what he calls the “Power of the Pack” methodology.

Regardless how big or small your pet and his problems are, the three keys to training him are exercise, discipline and affection – in that order, he says. Unfortunately, too many pet owners focus on affection and neglect the exercise and discipline, in Millan’s experience.

“There is a cultural belief [in the U.S.] that you must give affection to a dog for him to trust and respect,” he says. “What creates trust and respect is exercise and discipline. You can intensify that by sharing affection. But a pack leader never hugs and kisses a dog and tells him that he loves him. That’s something dogs only experience living with humans.

What Dogs Want
“By giving him affection first, you set him up for instability,” Millan tells Lifescript. “As humans, we like to pamper pretty much anything, [but having a dog] isn’t just about fulfilling your fantasy; you also have to fulfill his identity, which is a dog. In his natural habitat, a dog’s parents wouldn’t pamper him. If they gave him affection, it would be to encourage him to do activities.”

But an animal can’t speak up and tell you what’s wrong. He can’t explain that his life isn’t challenging or full because he lacks regular romps in the park and clear guidelines on what behavior is and isn’t expected, Millan explains. Dogs can only show you their frustration through their behavior. When people love their dogs and assume they’re doing everything right because they’re showering them with affection, they’re baffled when the pets get anxious, aggressive or ignore their commands.

The secret to successful pet parenting is to love your dog as you would a human, but to treat him like a dog, Millan says. In other words, plan activities that he will find fulfilling. While Rover would be thrilled by a day at the park, odds are he won’t enjoy an outing to an upscale nail salon, even if he is welcomed with open arms.

“You should honor the identity of your pet and love him as a human,” Millan says. “I have 20 dogs and love them all. I don’t love them less than I love my kids. But I do provide activities that they are familiar with before I provide activities they’re not familiar with. Dogs fill empty spaces for humans. They fulfill our needs, but are we fulfilling their needs? In a relationship, it’s about fulfilling each other’s needs.”

Getting Rover to Mind His MannersSome might say society has gone to the dogs when they catch sight of pet lovers sharing their meals with man’s best friend. It’s not even unheard of to see the occasional dog eating off his owner’s fork.

In such cases, Millan takes the pet’s point of view: Is the food healthy for the dog? Is the dog properly trained for such an outing?

“It’s nice to take your dog to a restaurant,” he says. “In an ideal life, we’d take our dogs everywhere. But before you share food with your dog, ask the vet to make sure it’s not bad for the dog. If it isn’t, share your leftovers but wait until you finish eating – not while you’re eating.

“The food is his reward for waiting – for being patient and not becoming dominant over the food. If you share your food with a dog who’s excited, especially with other dogs around, it’s going to create competition. That’s how dog fights begin. It’s one of the reasons dogs aren’t allowed in restaurants – because people don’t know how to control them around food. Nobody wants a fight in a restaurant.”

Human Treat, Canine Trauma?Millan isn’t against introducing pets to people activities. From dog birthday parties to trips to the mall, anything is fair game in his opinion. But his rule of thumb is to make sure that your dog is in the proper state of mind. If you subject your pet to an environment that makes him ill at ease, he’s going to associate you with the trauma, which can damage your relationship with your dog.

An uncomfortable environment “will cause him to lose trust in you,” Millan says. “You wanted him to see Santa, but you never paid attention to how he felt. Or maybe you put a costume on your dog, and he shuts down and gets tense and doesn’t want to walk. You disregard the dog because you have a personal agenda.”

Even if your dog is lapping up the affection and enjoying the activity, it’s crucial to remind him of the pecking order so you can keep his behavior in line.

Hands OffJust as pet owners have a duty to raise their pets right, dog lovers need to show restraint when they meet an irresistible pup. Although you may be inclined to go gaga over someone else’s furry bundle of joy, Millan suggests you hold back.

“There are signs not to give affection [like] when somebody pets the dog, it gets nervous. A dog may pee if somebody approaches too fast, too hard, too loud. We need to treat all dogs who are with their owners like they are seeing-eye dogs – no touch, no talk, no eye contact. If a dog wants to meet you, it will bring its nose to you.”

Of course, there are other common sense rules for proper petiquette. Abide by leash laws. Walk your dog, and walk him often.

If you still feel like you need help solving your pet problems, the Dog Whisperer may be able to help. For more information about Cesar Millan, visit Cesarsway.com.

Are You Spoiling Your Pet?The world has gone to the dogs – from costly diamond-encrusted collars to doggie day spas. These days it’s nothing less than the best for our favorite canines. While some people think it’s insane to treat your dog like a human, others can’t imagine it any other way. Are you guilty of overindulging your pet? Take this pampered pet quiz and find out.

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